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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 



A LIGHT-LINE CONNECTIVE-VOWEL SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND 

WRITTEN FROM PRINCIPLES WITHOUT THE USE 

OF WORD SIGNS OR CONTRACTIONS 

FOR 

Commercial, Political and Judicial 

RECORDING, 

# 

AND IN ALL THOSE FIELDS OF LABOR W^HICH DEMAND THE. 
HIGHEST DEGREE OF SPEED AND LEGIBILITY. 



BY C. E. McKEE, 

Principal Short- Hand Department of the 
College of Commerce, Buffalo, N. Y. 




Published by the 
BUFFALO PUBLISHING CO. 



Copyrighted 1889 by 
C. E. McKee. 



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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



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TRANSCRIPT. 



JMighty thou art. © magic pen, 
rF|ou who dost serve the Wants of men; 
By rescuing golden thoughts fron] spoil, 
7\r|d saVmg the World from years of toil. 



THE AUTHOR. 



pFefaee. 



No apology need be offered for the appearance of the 
present work. The history of the past proves that a system 
of brief writing has been the demand of the ages. That that 
demand still exists is too obvious to even need assertion. 
When we realize what a small per cent, of the multitudes who 
yearly take up the study of short-hand, make a success of it, 
we begin to see and realize the need of improvement in this 
line of human achievement. This recognized necessity for a 
simple^ practical system of brief writing, — one that can be 
learned and put into daily use, by the masses, without devot- 
ing years of study and practice to this one branch alone — is 
what inspired the author in his efforts to develop the present 
system. 

Says an eminent writer of recent date, '-The formation 
of a really good system of short-hand has yet to be shown to 
the world." Whether the Xew Rapid fills this want or not is 
not for the author to say. Of one thing, however, he feels 
assured, — that the final success of any system depends upon 
true worth and merit. Xo amount of advertising, or high 
sounding statements, will render a worthless thing of practical 
value. And since experience has taught us that the best 
argument that can be put forth in favor of the N"ew Rapid, is 
a knowledge of its merits, we feel that we have in some 
degree at least been successful in our efforts to found it upon 
true and lasting principles. It is to be hoped that it will not 
fall short of its object, namely : To secure a shorter road to 
Stenographic success ; to obtain greater legibility and speed, and 
lighten the labors of that mighty ar??iy that is daily growing in 
the skillful use of the pen. 



6 THE NEW RAPID. 

A glance will be sufficient, to enable one to see that the 
system is entirely different from those of the past, and that in 
it short-hand has been emancipated from the superstitions that 
have surrounded it from its birth to the present day. 

For the purpose of giving the reader some knowledge of 
the principles of this system, and its many superior advan- 
tages, we give a brief review of it in the introduction. In 
referring the reader to this we ask that it be read with a fair, 
impartial, and unbiased spirit. 

We think, aside from the principles of the system, there 
is much to commend the New Rapid, to those desiring to 
pursue the study of short-hand. The matter presented 
throughout the work has been carefully selected and graded. 
Unlike other systems, we have presented it in the form of 
Lessons. This arrangement will be of great assistance to the 
student. Whether it is pursued under an instructor or by 
home study, it enables the learner to take it up in its proper 
order. Each lesson is thoroughly mastered before going to 
the next, and as it contains a complete explanation of the 
subject in question, the student avoids the confusion arising 
from disconnected lessons. Everything belonging to a lesson 
is placed directly in connection with it, that the student may 
get the benefit of it just when it is needed. A list of ques- 
tions is added after each lesson, which enables the student to 
ascertain if everything passed over has been thoroughly 
mastered. They also serve as good test questions when a 
hasty review on theory is desired. 

Realizing that practice is what is necessary to render 
short-hand useful, we have presented a carefully selected list 
of words after each lesson. This enables the learner to get 
practice on those words that will tend to fix the principles of 
the lessons at hand, thoroughly in mind. The lists are so 



PREFACE. 7 

practical and comprehensive, that by the time the theory of 
the subject has been completed, the student will have acquired 
a large vocabulary of practical word forms. 

Realizing what a vast number of the young men and 
women who pursue the study of short-hand, have not the 
opportunity to secure the services of an instructor,, we have 
aimed to make the book a teacher of itself. We hope that 
all those who pursue the study will find in it truth and beauty, 
and a lasting degree of satisfaction in its practice. 

With these few words of greeting, the system is com-^ 
mended to those whose labors it seeks to lessen, trusting that 
it may prove a faithful friend and servant, in all the fields of 
labor to which it may be called to administer. 

Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. ij, 1888. 



Ir^tFodaetiorp, 



in which are set forth a few of the merits of The New Rapid ^ 
showing that the principles upon which it is fou7ided are those 
that should govern a practical system of short-hand. 

The burning desire of the human mind for increased 
knowledge, and consequently for improvement, seems to be 
the progressive principle, propelling us onward and upward. 
Improvements follow improvements on all the inventions of 
the times. Perfection in the arts, the sciences and the 
numberless inventions of the age, is the one grand idea that 
^lls the mind of the scientific world. 

The impossibilities of yesterday are probabilities to-day 
and possibilities to-morrow. The world is indeed moving 
onward and upward. But in her onward march, she has not 
forgotten the pen, — who, though ^^ mightier than the sword," 
— with our present long-hand method of recording thought, 
needs facilities to aid in coping with the modern methods of 
living. In modern short-hand — The New Rapid — she has 
found this aid, which presents to the world an alphabet of 
letters so simple and facile, that even a child may learn to 
write. This method of writing is as wonderful as it is simple. 
By it, speech is recorded as it falls from the lips of the rapid 
speaker^ and thus the finest sentiments of the human soul, — 
as the poet says, — 

" Are transmitted to glowing pages, 
And handed down to future ages." 

What once meant to the literary man years of laborious 
toil, is now a pleasant task, requiring but a few weeks time for 
its completion. The man of business who formerly toiled all 



lO THE NEW RAPID. 

day at his desk, can to-day dispatch his correspondence in an 
hour's time. And instead of it being a miserable scrawl, im- 
possible to decipher, it appears in a neat type, as plain and 
legible as a printed book. 

A spark of truth, now kindled into a blaze, shoots forth 
its rays from an elevated light house, casting brilliant 
streams of light over a clouded stenographic world. As the 
effusion of spreading light breaks in upon the darkness, gilding 
the once blackened clouds of doubt and failure, from the 
advancing host ^^ring out in peals of accent loud and clear," 
Eureka ! Eureka ! 

Although the art of short-hand has done much in the 
past, yet its history shows that to those who have followed 
it, it has been very unsatisfactory. Years of study and 
practice, directed towards this one branch alone, was the 
only way it could be made available ; and even then 
without persistent practice, it was all forgotten in less 
than one-tenth of the time it took to acquire it. The large 
percentage of those who have made a total failure of short- 
hand, even after earnest and determined effort, is sufficient to 
show that something better is wanted in this direction. The 
fact that even those who do master it thoroughly, seldom have 
confidence enough in its legibility to use it in recording 
thoughts for safe keeping, is enough to show why it has never- 
come into practical everyday use. 

What the world is demanding to-day is a system that can 
be easily learned, is as legible as print, and can be written 
rapidly. Illegibility has been the most glaring defect of all 
systems of short-hand writing. This great deficiency, to- 
gether with others, so painfully realized by the author in past 
years, accounts for the existence of the New Rapid short- 
hand. In this we are fully justified in saying that a great 



INTRODUCTION. II 

improvement has been made and that short-hand is now 
placed upon a firmer and more practical basis than ever 
before. 

Since the New Rapid system is so much unlike others, we 
review briefly a few of its prominent features, — that the 
reader may become acquainted with the underlying principles 
and better understand why a new system of short-hand has 
been born, and is working such a mighty revolution throughout 
the civilized world. 

At the outset, we wish to say that if you are a writer of 
some other system, we hope you will lay aside, all prejudices 
and predilections, and judge candidly of the merits of the 
New Rapid. We say this, knowing how apt Stenographers 
are to consider the system they write, as the ne plus ultra of 
perfection, and bar out all facts that would tend to make it 
appear otherwise. All that is claimed for the New Rapid, can 
be fully and satisfactorily demonstrated ; and hence we ask 
that you reason candidly with yourself, while we explain 
briefly a few of its merits. 

The present system is the result of much •study and 
research, coupled with the sincere belief that there are im- 
portant springs of truth yet unexplored, connected with the 
science of swift writing. The system has been perfected and 
brought to its high state of excellence, only through the firmly 
established principles, that govern so harmoniously all its parts. 

Over one year was spent in constructing and arranging 
the Phonographic Alphabet. To the inexperienced this may 
seem like an exorbitant waste of time and energy; but there 
are many difficulties to be encountered in developing a system 
of writing that will record briefly and systematically, — and in 
such an easy, simple manner, — human speech as rapidly as it 
is spoken. 



12 THE NEW RAPID. 

The success of anything depends largely upon the foun- 
dation. Nowhere is this truer than in short-hand; and as the 
alphabet is the foundation of the whole structure, it is neces- 
sary that it contain those elements that will conduce largely 
toward bringing the system as a whole into a high state of 
perfection. Realizing this, we have spared no pains to lay a 
foundation that will be simple, practical and complete. The 
philosophical arrangement of our alphabet, combined with the 
powerful contracting principles, is what enables us to secure 
such a remarkable degree of brevity without sacrificing 
legibility. 

J. M. Sloan, of England, author of Sloan-Duployan 
Short-hand, has truthfully said: '^ It does not require great 
intelligence to understand that the more powerful an alphabet 
is, the fewer abbreviations are required ; consequently more 
sounds are retained, which give extra legibility. ' ' Since the 
alphabet forms the foundation and is of such vital importance 
to all the after-work, we here illustrate a few of its prominent 
features. 

One df the main characteristics of this system is the easy, 
running style of writing produced, and the great similarity it 
bears to long-hand. A writer of prominence has said : '^ The 
greatest perfection of long-hand consists in its free, easy style, 
and regularity of appearance." This is a recognized fact; and 
since the hand is accustomed to the long-hand style of 
writing, it is obvious that the nearer short-hand approaches 
this, the easier and more natural will it be in execution. 
Recognizing this as one of the essentials requisite to easy 
rapid writing, this system has been based upon the principles 
governing long-hand. Curves, instead of being parts of 
circles, are, as in long-hand, elliptical ; and the writing as a 
whole tends toward the right, producing an easy running style. 



INTRODUCTION. 1 3 

This similarity to long-hand is still further carried out by 
discarding the use of shaded characters. Too many shaded 
strokes renders the writing very difficult of execution. If in 
long-hand we should attempt to shade every downward stroke, 
which would be every other stroke, we would find it a very 
slow and laborious way of writing. Hence, the fewer shaded 
strokes employed the better. In view of this fact we have 
constructed an alphabet which practically does away with 
shading. This we consider in many ways a great improve- 
ment over former systems. In the ^Pitmanic systems, every 
other letter is a shaded stroke. This of course necessitates a 
great amount of shading, which is antagonistic to easy rapid 
execution. 

But by other means equally important, we have succeeded 
in securing to a still larger degree that ease and grace in execu- 
tion which so characterizes the long-hand style of writing. 
This is accomplished by the manner in which certain letters 
are represented. 

In assigning values to the different strokes, the easiest 
and most facile outlines were selected to represent the most 
frequently recurring sounds. Thus s and z, which are found 
most frequently in the English language, are represented by 
horizontal strokes ; and t and d, which rank second, by right 
oblique strokes running the same as the strokes in long-hand, 
which can be struck either upwards or downwards. And so 
on throughout the alphabet — easy, facile strokes are utilized 
in representing frequently recurring sounds. This enables us, 
not only to write common phraseology with exceeding ease 



■^ By Pitmanic syetems is meant those systems which use the alphabet 
of consonants as arranged by Isaac Pitman, of England, in 1837. They 
are the Graham's, Munson's, Scott Browne's, Ben Pitman's, Burn's, etc. 



14 THE NEW RAPID. 

and facility, but it secures li?ieality^ one of the great essentials 
to easy rapid writing. 

In all the Pitmanic systems the most frequently recurring 
sounds in the language are, unfortunately, represented by the 
most difficult characters. For example, the s and z, and t 
and d, are expressed by perpendicular strokes, while other 
letters are represented by values wholly unsuited for easy join- 
ing and so impracticable that they necessitate the use of special 
hooks. Throughout the entire alphabet, practicability is 
wholly ignored. 

A perpendicular stroke, and especially a curved one, — 
such as represents the s and z in the Pitmanic systems — is the 
most difficult line it is possible to form. The hand in its right 
and left eliptical movements naturally conforms to the law of 
movement in long-hand, and rebels against all efforts to form 
a perpendicular stroke. In view of these facts we have virtu- 
ally discarded the use of perpendicular lines. This 
disuse of long perpendicular strokes and the values assigned to 
those easy in execution, is what renders the movements in the 
writing of the New Rapid, so much like that employed in 
long-hand. The result is that it can be written easily and 
rapidly, with but little practice as compared with those systems 
which employ so many complex outlines written in an upright 
manner. 

The disadvantages arising from the use of perpendicular 
strokes and especially to represent sounds of such frequent 
recurrence, are more fully realized when we know what long, 
irregular and difficult outlines are produced in writing. 

To illustrate this point we give a line of words in which 
perpendicular strokes occur as written in the Pitmanic systems. 
The first line is the Pitmanic writing and the second that of 
the New Rapid. Observe not only the absence of perpen- 



INTRODUCTION. 15 

diviinution dutiful personification vestibule form demonstration Voltaire 




\ / ^~-- ^ ^ ^ 



^^^ 



dicular strokes in the writing of the New Rapid, but also the 
great degree in which brevity and lineality is secured. It is 
also proper to remark that the writing of the New Rapid is 
much more legible than that of the Pitmanic. 

Next we desire to make mention of the simple and prac- 
tical manner in which all words are written. They are not, 
as in other systems, committed as word forms and contractions, 
but are written from principle as in long-hand. It might 
appear to a casual observer, that in this way, a degree of 
brevity equal to other systems would not be secured. But the 
fact is there is not a system in existence that can cope with 
the New Rapid in securing brevity, and yet so successfully 
retain the legibility. 

By this simple, practical manner of writing, the reporter 
is enabled to write any word, by applying the underlying 
principles, and is not as in other systems, compelled to resort 
to a phonographic dictionary, for the writing of every new 
word that comes up. It would be just as reasonable for a 
student to attempt to commit the solution and answer of the 
numberless problems in mathematics, when by understanding 
a few underlying principles, he could solve any problem that 
might be proposed. 

That word-signs and arbitrary contractions, are detri- 
mental to a system of short-hand, needs no argument to 
prove. The writers of all systems realize this. Late works 
on the Pitmanic systems show that authors are trying to lessen 



1 6 THE NEW RAPID. 

these signs in number. But the result of their efforts, in this- 
direction is very unsatisfactory. The fundamental principles- 
of the Pitmanic systems are such that it is impossible to secure 
sufficient brevity by writing from principle. Hence the use of 
word-signs and contractions, in these systems, is by no means 
a choice, but a necessity. It is obvious, too, that by the new 
method a great amount of time and labor is saved. The most 
arduous task found in connection with the study of short-hand 
has been the memorizing of the countless number of word- 
signs and contractions. This old method of memorizing , 
word-signs and contractions by the hundreds has been found 
too slow and laborious, and has consequently given way to the 
more modern and practical method, viz. : that of writing from 
principle, instead of arbitrary signs. The fulness of the 
writing and the close resemblance that the movement bears to 
long-hand is the crowning feature of the New Rapid. 

The next subject in order of importance, is, that this is a 
connective vowel system. That is, vowels are expressed by 
strokes the same as consonants, and words are written without 
lifting the pen. This is one of the distinguishing features of 
this system, — one which promotes facility in writing and legi- 
bility in reading. In the Pitmanic systems, vowels are ex- 
pressed by dots and dashes placed in a certain position after 
the consonants are written, but in order to obtain speed suffi- 
cient for even moderate writing, the writer finds it impossible 
to go back after writing every word, and add one, two and 
sometimes three dots or dashes of a certain size, and in a 
certain position. Hence the vowels must be omitted, and are 
used only on an average of about once in seventy-five words. 
The result is, the writer is not only left to read his notes 
without vowels, which are as essential to legibility as conso- 
nants, but is compelled to go through the long and arduous 



INTRODUCTION. 1 7 

task of learning what is known in those systems as ^^vocali- 
zation " and '^revocalization/' all of which must be practically 
abandoned when he enters the field of actual practice. The 
expediency of connective vowel strokes is apparent to every- 
body. The writing of words in a broken and disconnected 
manner is wholly unphilosophical. 

In matter of speed acquired by connective strokes we 
quote the language of an eminent writer, on the disadvantages 
of pen-lifting: ^^The act of pen-lifting is quite complex. 
In addition to lifting the pen, moving it along a little space^ 
and re-applying it to the paper, there are the mental acts of 
ending one word and beginning another. Of course all these- 
processes may be executed quickly ; but time is time, it is not; 
easy to estimate a point like this ; but probably a pen-lifting- 
requires as much time as the writing of two strokes, possibly 
three. One pen-lifting, it is true, even estimated as above, 
does not require much time ; but many hundreds or thousands 
occurring in close succession are a very serious draw-back. 
Hence anything that reduces the number of pen-liftings is. 
very favorable to high speed." We take great pleasure in 
quoting the above lines, as they are from the pen of one of the- 
most able Pitmatic writers in this country. They were written- 
referring particularly to phrase-writing, showing the advantages, 
to be gained in a system of short-hand by connecting words. 
These words do not lack in weight and meaning. If it 
is advantageous to combine different words, how much more- 
so is it, to write simple words themselves without lifting the 
pen. Had these words even been directed in particular at the 
Pitmanic manner of writing vowels, they could not have struck a. 
more severe blow at the very foundation of these systems. 
The sterling truth of such words are recognized by all ex- 
perienced writers. But for a writer of these systems to admit 



1 8 THE NEW RAPID. 

them, is to strike a blow at the most glaring defect in 
Phonography. 

In matter of legibility, we quote ffom the English writer, 
J. M. Sloan. He says: ^^I maintain that no system can be 
legible that does not either msert or indicate the vowel in its 
exact position in every word." These words do not need 
commenting upon. Their truth is self-evident. 

This question of illegibility, and loss of speed resulting 
from disconnected vowels brings us to the subject of Vowxl 
Position, which in this system differs very radically from the 
Pitmanic. The complex and uncertain manner of using 
position in these systems of Phonography has led some to 
ask if they were not really of more hindrance than assistance. 
And reasonably may they make such inquiries ; for each posi-' 
tion is assigned four or five different sounds, which are taken 
from as many different vowels. For example, a consonant 
stroke written on what is called the first position might 
express broad a, long e, short i, short o, long i, or oi. In 
reading, the context must determine which of these vowels is 
to be used, and also the place it occupies in the word ; for in 
most cases there is nothing to show whether the words begin 
with a vowel or consonant, or where the vowel is located. 
The result of such indefinite and uncertain writing is that a 
half dozen different words are frequently expressed by the 
same outline. In this particular point the Pitmanic systems 
could not possibly be more deficient. What few vowels that 
are even expressed by positions are so indefinite that they are 
about as bad as none at all. In the New Rapid system no 
room for such confusion is allowed. Each position is assigned 
but one vowel, and the place that vowel occupies in the word 
is an absolute certainty. And further, instead of the vowxl 
positions being a scale of conglomerate sounds, they are 



INTRODUCTION. 1 9 

arranged in their natural alphabetical order. This method of 
position is so simple that students learn, and are able to use 
it, with but a few minutes study. But what is equally perplex- 
ing to the students of the Graham, Pitman, and other systems 
is, that they are not taught the subject of position until they 
have become perfectly familiar with all the principles. Then 
just as the learner is beginning to write easily, and has a 
settled form of writing, he is ushered into the mysterious 
realm of position, where invisible a, e, i, o, i, and oi, are all 
placed on one position. Here he is compelled to unlearn a 
great deal of what has already been acquired, by writing words 
differently and on position. The same can be said of word- 
signs and contractions. There being such a large number of 
these, they are left until the learner has mastered most of the 
principles of the system. Here he learns one way to write 
these words, but in order to gain sufficient speed, he must now 
commit brief signs for the representation of hundreds of 
words and thousands of contractions. 

Any system of instruction, which teaches in one lesson 
that which must necessarily be abandoned in the next, is 
certainly far from being founded upon rational principles. In 
the New Rapid the student learns things in the beginning just 
as they will be, when carried into practice. Not a single word 
form is taught, in any part of the work that will be changed 
later on. It is surprising how indelibly forms first committed 
are stamped upon the memory ; and to attempt to forget the 
old, and learn a new, must end in utter confusion. It is at 
this point that so many have in the past dropped the study of 
short-hand, dissatisfied and discouraged with its multitudinous 
perplexities. The elimination of this fault so common to 
other systems is a principle of which the New Rapid can justly 
feel proud. 



20 THE NEW RAPID. 

Another fact well worth mentioning, wherein this system 
differs from others, is that the q, and x, have each a character 
of their own. The Pitmanic systems have no x or q but use 
ks for X and kw for q. This manner of writing these letters 
requires two strokes to express, what is represented in English 
by one letter. Besides the inconvenience in writing and 
reading, they are the most difficult combinations to analyze 
i)honetically that the student meets with in all his study. Who 
is there who does not find it difficult at first to perceive that 
in X there are the sounds of k and s, or in q tne sounds k and 
w? Since these sounds are so closely united and represented 
in English by one letter, it is found much easier both in 
reading and writing short-hand, to have them represented by 
one simple stroke. But the most perplexing part of all of it 
is that in reading, one could not tell whether the ks stood for 
x, kis kes, oks oaks, aks kas, or any other similar combi- 
nation. And further, when it comes to the matter of saving 
time in writing (which is the sole aim of short-hand), the 
manner in which they are written is of no small consequence. 
To illustrate this in point of brevity, we give below a few 
words as written in other systems. The first line is the 
Pitmanic manner of writing these words, and the second line 
that of the New Rapid. 

exposed exei7jplify examine extent examination experiment 



^ 



The writing of these words in this system is not only 
briefer, but much more legible than the Pitmanic, since 
they contain all the sounds in the words. And these words 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

are by no means exceptions. The letters q and x should not 
be separated into their elements, and written thus, any more 
than the diphthongs or double consonants. 

And even further, to say nothing of the gain in legibility 
and brevity, words in this system are represented by much 
more facile outlines than in others. Such difficult, irregular 
outlines as are seen in some of the words given above can not 
be found in the whole realm of the New Rapid short-hand 
writing. It will thus be seen that there is everything in favor 
of expressing the q and x as they are in this system, while by 
the old method not a single point is gained. 

Another important and distinctive feature of this system 
is the remarkable degree in which analogy is preserved in the 
writing of primitive and derivative words. This is a subject 
of vital importance to the short-hand writer and which has 
unfortunately been overlooked by former authors. For ex- 
ample, when we learn how to write the word educate, it is 
obvious that upon rational principles all derivatives, such as 
educated, education, educational, should be written in a 
similar manner, at least as far as the sounds are alike. 

In some systems the derivatives of such words are so 
entirely changed in outline from the primitive that no simi- 
larity whatever is traceable. This necessitates learning forms 
wholly unlike one another for the purpose of expressing words 
closely allied not only in sound, but also in meaning. 'This 
method sets all law at defiance and results in utter confusion, 
both in writing and reading. But there is another class of 
derivatives known as negatives, in distinction from positive, 
the writing of which is even more important, since there is 
such a great difference in meaning, yet such a similarity in 
sound. In this class of words the positive is the primitive and 
the negative word the derivative. For example, the words 



2 2 THE NEW RAPID. 

legale moral, and content are positive, while illegal, inwioraly 
and (lisco?itent are the negatives. Of this class of words there 
is a very large number in practical use ; and since the main 
parts of the words are alike in sound, yet just the opposite in 
meaning, it is necessary in observing the laws of analogy, to 
have their outline, in the main, similar; and yet, for the sake 
of legibility, a difference should be unmistakably expressed. 
In this system all these requirements are met, and the result is 
that the most difficult words the stenographer meets with in 
other systems, are, in this, written by one simple rule, which 
can be told in less than a dozen words. They are also written 
with a brevity and legibility unparalleled. 

But perhaps the reader is not aware of the immense 
amount of labor and practice that is saved by our method of 
writing these words. A large per cent, of the English language 
is composed of derivative words. In other systems, where 
these are written at variance to all law, and their difference 
expressed arbitrarily, it is necessary to learn each and every 
word or sign separately. When written as in this system, 
which is wholly unlike all others in this respect, the writer 
learns only the primitive or positive word, and the writing of 
the derivative or negative is as easy and natural as is the defin- 
ing of derivative words when we know the primitive. Thus 
all that is necessary, is to be able to write the primitive. The 
derivative, which is but a slight modification of the same 
word, can be written without previous practice and on the 
spur of the moment. This saves the stenographer the learning 
of hundreds of word-forms, and writes them easily and legibly 
in accordance with the fundamental law of the system — -from 
principle. 

Another point well worth mentioning, is the manner in 
which all coalescents are written. In the English language 



INTRODUCTION. 23 

there are nearly thirty double consonants, occurring as/r in 
pra}\ bl in blame, sp in spy, etc. The writing of these in 
most systems is very complex and uncertain, as the learner is 
compelled to commit new forms for the representation of 
many of these coalescents. To conform to rule and be in 
any way consistent, with the writing of the separate letters of 
which they are composed, they should be expressed by some 
simple modification of one or more of these letters rather 
than by new characters bearing no relation whatever. This- 
system fully accomplishes this and writes all coalescents in. 
accordance with the laws of analogy, and from principles- 
which can be explained, and comprehended by a mere be- 
ginner in a few minutes time. 

Thus it will be observed that the intricately, and 
judicially constructed alphabet, is the foundation to the whole 
structure. No new and complex characters are introduced at 
different stages of the work, but instead, the system is built 
up scientifically from a phonographic alphabet. We believe 
this to be the true foundation, upon which all systems should 
be developed. It is reasonable, it is practical, it is in keeping 
with the development of other sciences. 

Another merit common only to this system is the fact 
that every letter or sound has a distinct and separate character 
of its own. Each character is allowed to stand for but one 
sound, and is never used for any other. In the Pitmanic 
systems a hook has seven different values. That is, a hook 
turned at the beginning of a stroke adds an r. Turned on. 
the opposite side it adds an 1. A similar hook written after 
certain strokes represents n. Written after still another class 
of letters it stands for the ending Hve. After still another 
class of letters it represents f or v. Turned on other particu- 
lar letters a trifle larger and it expresses w, and the same hook 



2 4 THE NEW RAPID. 

after any stroke expresses the common termination shun. 
No wonder the common saying among Stenographers to 
beginners was : ^' If you don't get stuck on the hooks you 
are all right." It does not require much intelligence to see 
that such a multitude of different values assigned to the same 
character, even though changed a trifle in shape or size, would 
end in utter confusion. This is one of the most common 
defects of short-hand systems. Even those, which aim to 
write more from principles — Porter's, Eclectic, Pernin, 
Bishop's and Sloan-DuPloyan — fall into the same error. They 
not only allow the same characters to represent different sounds, 
but introduce at various stages new characters, almost, if not 
altogether, identical with those already given which are 
allowed to represent different letters or combinations of 
letters. Especially is this true of what is known as the 
Eclectic system. Characters already utilized in the repre- 
sentation of sounds are used for whole syllables which have 
no relation or dependence whatever upon the original value 
assigned. The Eclectic and Sloan-DuPloyan abound with 
these arbitary and deficient methods of securing brevity. 

The Eclectic system claims to write from principle, but 
when all that is really arbitrary is stricken from it, there is little 
left of what can be called principle. It is without doubt one of 
the most illegible systems in existence. Every sound in the 
language is assigned a position and the result is, to conform 
to the fundamental principles, every word in the language 
must be wTitten on a particular position. Since it has been 
found impossible to secure speed, from the use of so much 
position, phrasing has been introduced, which necessarily 
abandons the use of position in so far as it is employed, and 
defeats the very purpose of the fundamental principle of the 
system. It has one merit, however, for which it should 



INTRODUCTION. 25 

Teceive credit, and that is, the running style of writing that 
is produced. 

The utter illegibility of short-hand systems of the past, wi thout 
some clue to the subject matter, is what has rendered short- 
hand of so little value in practical everyday use. The motto 
xOf the New Rapid from the beginning to the end is, legibility. 

As further conducing toward perfect legibility is the fact 
that in this system the writing runs to the right, producing 
perfect lineality, and can be written on the different positions 
without occupying more than one-half of the space perpen- 
dicularily that it does in the Pitmanic systems. Experienced 
wTiters will see at a moment's glance, what great advantages 
are derived from this easy continuous style of writing. A 
lack of this in other systems is. as all know, the most serious 
drawback in gaining speed, and the very reason why phrasing 
— a go-as-yoii-please style — must be resorted to. 

Since the word Phonography means writing by sound, it 
is generally supposed that these systems styled Phonographic 
-systems, more properly called, however, Pitmanic systems, 
write phononetically. But it is as far from being the case as 
day is from night. True, they have material by which Avords 
may be written out phonetically, but when put to practical 
Tise, this is found wholly impossible. Not one word in a 
hundred is written phonetically. The very foundation of 
the systems will not permit it. Their disconnected vowels, 
with complex and indefinite positions, together with sound 
value unsuited for contractions of frequent recurrence, make 
the subject of phonetic writing, owing to a lack of brevity, 
wholly impossible. We mention this to show that although 
this system is not called Phonography, it comes nearer the 
meaning of the term, practically, than any of these so-called 
svstems. 



26 THE NEW RAPID. 

This is perhaps more forcibly realized when we remember 
that in many cases one outline is used for a half dozen differ- 
ent words. In some of these systems words as far apart in 
sound and meaning, as had, dollar, do, defendant and did, are 
all written with the safiie outline. In the Pitmanic systems 
the following twenty-nine words : creatu7^e, occurred, court, 
cared, accurate, curried, cured, cord, chord, accord, according, 
crate, ci'owd, acrid, crout, card, cart, cai^ried, accrued, occured, 
curt, curd, euchred, coward, cried, caret, accrete, crowed and 
crude, are all written with the same outline ; while those 
systems called practical Phonographic systems, which omit 
the shade, would add the following eighteen words to the 
above list : gored, gourd, great, grate, grade, girt, gird, 
grout, groat, greet, greed, agreed, augured, grot, geared, 
gai^ret, g^Ht and guard. This would make a total of forty- 
seven different words, all of which are written from the same 
outline. And what is still more absurd is the fact that many 
of these words have no similarity of sound whatever, and yet 
they are written by systems called Pho7iographic systems. 
These illustrations show how utterly Phonography fails, prac- 
tically in being consistent with the name its writers so highly 
worship, and so earnestly covet. 

In the face of all these glaring deficiencies is it any 
wonder that such statements as the following emanate from 
the very writers of these impracticable systems: ^^In so far 
as American short-hand is built upon the Pitmanic foun- 
dation, I wish to point out that it is necessarily mixed up with. 
the most absurdly unpracticable notions with which an essen- 
tially practical art was ever encumbered." 

That the truth of our statements as to the relative merits 
of the New Rapid may be more apparent, we give illustrations, 
of short-hand writing by the standard Pitmanic systems of to- 



INTRODUCTION. 27 

day, The following sentence is taken from Graham's text- 
book as written by himself in the briefest reporting style 
which that system affords : 



^^ ^ c y f 



CTN 



^ 



•V ^- 



The writing of the above sentence is quite brief, but as to 
legibility it is perfectly ridiculous. It would be impossible to 
read it even if written out in long-hand. That the reader 
may see why this is so, we give the sentence in print as spelled 
and phrased above in short-hand. It is as follows: tmp p7if 
dl ths njshun onthe dstrsing pktr olwnndvd bt mlt t tnthts s 
oil ch oi2X\.thsdstrs sbnhpt g ona,sng fld. 

The person who can make out a half dozen of the above 
words is certainly entitled to a high rank in the clairvoyant 
field. It is impossible even to get any idea of what is intended 
to be expressed. Those few short words printed in heavy face 
type are the only ones that can be read and they are repre- 
sented by special characters, and hence in so far as being 
founded upon the alphabet and written from principles they 
represent nothing at all. 

The New Rapid writes the above sentence out in full as 
follows : 







The above writing represents all the principle sounds in 
the sentence. That this may be contrasted with the Graham 



28 THE NEW RAPID. 

writing, we give the sentence in print as written in the New 
Rapid. It is as follows : It ma be panfl to dwel thus i?i 
imagnshn onthe distresing pikr of wun individl hct multply it 
tenthoicsand th?is sa how much of all this distres hasbeen hept 
togthr 07ia singl feld. 

The writing of this sentence in this system is not only 
briefer and more legible than the Graham but in all those 
essentials requisite to rapid writing it stands first. 

Although the gain in brevity is great, yet this is small in 
comparison with other existing qualities in favor of the New 
Rapid. As written in the Graham's it contains nineteen 
angles, while as written in the New Rapid it contains but six. 
Graham's writing contains thirteen full shaded strokes, while 
the New Rapid employs but three minor shades. The Graham 
writing contains sixteen perpendicular outlines, the New Rapid 
contains but one. The Graham writing contains fifteen word- 
signs, the New Rapid two. The Graham writing is contracted, 
phrased, and jumbled together until it is wholly illegible 
reading from principle. The New Rapid is written out con- 
taining nearly every sound in the sentence. All of these 
fundamental requisites to successful and easy writing are illus- 
trated and their merits shown to be phenominally in favor of 
the New Rapid in a sentence of but thirty-seven words. 

Following is a sentence taken from Munson's text-book, 
page 187, which is reproduced exactly as written by the 
author. 



INTRODUCTION. 



2^ 



^ 



-2..^ 



"i: 



-^=^ 



(^ 



-l—tr 



TZ 



1^ 



-^3- 



/■ 



This sentence is written out in full in the New Rapid as 
follows : 



jlL^ 



oL 






^ "N^ 



~?^ 






0. 



G/ 



-"^ G 



^-^9-^ 



The above is translated as follows : The adiclt and sane 
testator may bequeath his property to whom he will, with the 
ifnpo7^tant qualification that he can not give it to a donee incom- 
petent to take or tranunel it with trusts or restrictions which 
the statute forbids. 

Munson's writing of this sentence contains seventy-five 
characters, while in the New Rapid it is written in full with 
but fifty-seven characters. 

In this one sentence Munson employs eighteen perpen- 
dicular strokes. The New Rapid employs but one, and that 
a minute tick. 

The great gain in this system over others is more striking 
when we realize what they would amount to in the course of 
a sermon or lecture. 



so 



THE NEW RAPID. 



In taking down an address of less than forty minutes 
length, there would be a gain in the New Rapid of at least 
fifteen -hundred characters. 

There would be at least eighteen-hundred angles less 
than in others. The New Rapid would gain over two- 
thousand perpendicular strokes, fourteen-hundred shaded 
strokes and eighteen-hundred word-signs, to say nothing 
of the great gain in legibility. 

Before leaving this subject we desire to illustrate one more 
point. As compared with other systems the New Rapid makes 
very little use of phrasing. The writing in this system is more 
capable of successful phrasing than in the majority of others, 
but since its use is so detrimental to legibility, and since even 
without it this system is capable of a higher rate of speed than 
others, the New Rapid takes pride in being able to avoid this 
dangerous ground. 

The following phrases, taken from Pitman's Companion, 
illustrate how illegible writing becomes when phrased, and 
that even by its use other systems can not compete with the 
New Rapid in securing brevity. The first line is the Pitmanic 
writing and the second that of the New Rapid. 



ofcrstsnssrthtshd 




c/ —^ 



^ 



hnsrtnthtyr 



-^ 



tsntthtchsnismstlkl 




cy- 



.^ 



^^ 



of cor s itis necesyy thatthr I am sertn that your 
shud. 



itis not that which seems 
most likely 



The italic letters above and below show the sounds repre- 
sented by the writing in the respective systems. 



INTRODUCTION. 3I 

It will be observed that the New Rapid writing is not only 
much more legible, but that it is also briefer in outline. The 
Pitman writing employs thirty-two strokes, the New Rapid 
twenty-seven. But even this is not all ; phrasing is a study of 
itself which requires weeks of practice in order to make any 
practical use of it. In this system all this time is saved 
and in the end the writer has the assurance of knowing that he 
can read his notes. 

We regret that time and space will not permit us to speak 
further in regard to the relative merits of the New Rapid. 
Though extended as our remarks may appear, they contain 
little in comparison with what could be easily said in favor of 
the principles embodied in the New Rapid. Not only have 
many points been omitted, but even those mentioned were 
quickly passed over, and but partially developed. The rest 
we leave for those who have the time and inclination to 
acquaint themselves more fully with its merits. That which 
has already been said, we hope, will inspire the learner to in- 
quire further into its many hidden beauties, and induce him 
to master this study which is so useful in all the avocations 
of life. 

We cannot close without quoting a few lines from D. S. 
Davies, of England, who has spent a quarter of a century in 
the study of the fundamental requisites to a system of short- 
hand. He says : '^ I have come to the conclusion, that the 
short-hand of the future will necessarily be based on the ordi- 
nary roman long-hand ; that this beautiful writing contains 
much greater power than the geometric basis, which has been 
the basis of all English and American short-hand systems 
until very recently. 

'^All the necessary vowel sounds will be described in 
their natural order without lifting the pen. Present systems 



32 THE NEW RAPID. 

generally write the consonants first, and afterwards peg around 
them the vowels. This I think, is \\i^\x fundamental error. 

^^ Word-signs or grammalogiies will be avoided. 

^^The short-hand alphabet must be itself short, so that 
there would not be much need of shortening afterwards." 

These are sterling words from one who knows whereof 
he speaks. Similar prevailing opinions among the Steno- 
graphers of to-day could be given. But these are sufficient. 
They spring from a reliable source and run as parallel to the 
principles of the New Rapid as is possible for theory and 
practice to be united. 

In our remarks we have been compelled through a sense 
of justice, to make comparisons with other systems. In doing 
so, however, we have aimed to shov>^ them in their true light. 
It has not been our wish or intention to underrate the value 
of former systems. 

The invention of Phonography in 1837 marked a new 
era in Stenographic work. The great change it brought about 
in short-hand is admired by all. But, as Edward Pocknell 
has said, ^' We are not going to stop at Phonography." It 
will soon be like the sickle and spinning wheel, a thing of the 
past. We say this on good grounds, and with a firm belief in its 
truth. The signs of the times is pointing towards it. Nor 
is it a mere matter of chance, or the world's desire for some- 
thing new ; but on the contrary the change and drift of the 
times^ has a just and definable reason. The foundation of the 
Pitmanic syste??is is wrong. This is becoming a recognized fact. 

The present system is not claimed to be the ultiina thule 
to which improvement can be carried. But the points herein 
briefly mentioned are merits which we do claim, are, in the 
light of science, improvements in the right direction. They 
fall in line with the chain of improvements in other fields, 



INTRODUCTION. ;^^ 

that mark the progress of human achievement in this, the 
nineteenth century. No present system can show such sim- 
plicity in all its parts. It may be said of it as of nature, — 
/larmony reigns supreme. 

In the light of even these few briefly stated facts, may it 
not be said, and justly, that we have been remarkably success- 
ful in removing the recognized objectionable features of its 
predecessors, and placing it upon a firm and practical basis. 

We are not of that number who, because of their own 
achievements, disregard the opinions of others. 

On the contrary we rejoice to hear the notes of reform 
and improvement, and heartily contend for truth and right. 
We hope the time will soon come when in this art as 
well as in science and religion, we will march in the van of 
one mighty column, — keeping time with the music of the 
spheres, and guided as they, by the Author and Designer of 
Life. 










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